Description:

Boundary Peak just sqeaks by as the highest peak in Nevada in two ways. First, true to its name, it lies less than a mile from the California state line as northernmost but lowest of the high peaks of the White Mountains. Second, it beats out Wheeler Peak, way out in eastern Nevada, by 82 feet for the title of state high-point. Wheeler Peak (not to be confused with the Wheeler Peak that is New Mexico's high point) is in almost every way a more impressive mountain than Boundary, its sheer sides standing alone as the monarch of the central Great Basin. Boundary is overshadowed by higher and craggier Mt. Montgomery a half-mile away just over the California border. Still, no one ever said life was fair, and Boundary Peak is actually one of the more remote and unspoiled state high points.

Climbing Notes:

Boundary Peak is an easy, non-technical hike, made difficult by dusty, rocky access roads and large talus fields. The usual approach is from the east side of the White Mountains, where a boulder-strewn desert track called the Trail Canyon Road leads from NV 264 to about 8400 feet. However, I recommend the Queen Canyon Road from US 6 and the west side--a bad but passable (in 1989) road leads to the Queen Mine at 9200 feet. Either route then leads up to the crest of the White Mountains and then southwest, up one or two forepeaks covered with talus, to the summit. From the top, Mt. Montgomery looms menacingly above to the south, safely in California.

The White Mountains are the driest range of 14,000 foot peaks in America, and Boundary can make a good winter climb if there isn't much snow. Conditions can vary, though--the photo above shows plenty of snow in June, uncommon but possible. The parched deserts below get fantastically hot in summer, but the high peaks stay relatively cool and windy.

Boundary Peak in the White Mountains lives up to the name of its range as late as June in some years, although the snow is rarely very deep in the driest high mountains in the United States (1989-06-10).